In this episode of the Build Hatch Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from Robbie and Dean from EvoBuilt. 

In this episode we talk about: 

• Robbie and Dean are cousins and grew up together in a big family out in the country. 
• Both boys graduated school and followed trades into construction – Dean in the residential space and Robbie in commercial carpentry and plastering.  
• Robbie was approached to build six single-story prefabricated units and asked Dean to jump in to help and so EvoBuilt was born. 
• The journey of hiring young apprentices to help with framing work so they could start on a path of learning to improve the business.  
• The meaning behind the name EvoBuilt. 
• Their approach to business growth was cold calling builders they wanted to work with.  
• Wanting to boost their leadership skills, Robbie and Dean started regular business coaching sessions and conducted personality tests all which has helped them increase their leadership skills.  
• The concept of ‘blue teams’ and ‘red teams’ and working together in unity as Dean is the integrator and Robbie is the visionary.  
• Approaching daily tasks by ‘just making it happen’ and the value in building a strong team culture.  
• Building is a bi-product of EvoBuilt. Their mission is to nurture people through their journey of life so they have a positive impact when they go home.  
• Evo Built has just finished filming ‘The Block’ for Channel 9, and share how this opportunity came about through their connection with just one person and the referral that one person then passed on, which ultimately impacted their journey.
• Outside of work, Robbie and Dean are avid golfers – which also comes in handy for team building.  
• The future for EvoBuilt and the end mission.  
• Managing client interaction and the essential role beer plays in building connection and trust.  
• Robbie and Dean’s approach to Social Media and upholding the EvoBuilt branding in uniforms. 
• Their favourite aspects of working for themselves. 
• Robbie and Dean’s differentiating factor is the care they hold for clients and staff.  
• Solving problems and Robbie and Dean’s approach to problems when they arise on site.  
• EvoBuilt’s quarterly breaks, where all the team come together to restore their connection.  

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with Robbie and Dean from EvoBuilt. 

Links: 

Follow @evobuilt_ on Instagram 

Build Hatch 

In this episode of the Build Hatch Podcast, we sat down with Tom Rolland from KL Modular Systems Australia, a commercial modular construction company.

• Tom grew up in Melbourne and after leaving school at grade 12 Tom stepped into the world of men’s fashion.
• Being interested in process’ he studied the fabrication of garments from start to finish, all while breaking the traditional mould of a straight male working in fashion.
• KLMSA is a family business and Tom shares how his mum came to be the owner.
• Seeing the correlation between fabric fabrication and construction he jumped into KLMSA as a building estimator.
• Tom is process-driven and saw the correlation between fashion and the construction industry.
• The importance of accurate estimation allows KL Modular systems to deliver a prefabricated project on time and on budget.
• The advantages of building off-site and then coming into a school, for example, and installing over a matter of weeks rather than months or years.
• The possibilities of bringing a design to KLMSA and their process for creating a prefabricated build.
• KLMSA is currently working with the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) creating classrooms, sporting centres and childcare centres.
• The pre-fabrication industry, as a whole, and the pivots required to drive this relatively new concept in Australia.
• Tom’s hopes for the future of modular buildings.
• A standard briefing process with KL Modular Systems.
• Tom defines ‘Form Following Function’ and designing for function first.
• Tom describes the recent Bacchus Marsh Grammar School project, which is one of the biggest ones they have ever created.
• KLMSA is still a full turnkey solution and the challenges of working with pre-existing infrastructure.
• Everything is a process and his experience in the fashion industry gave him a good foundation for his role in construction now. 
• Life outside of the construction industry for Tom.
• The future for the KLMSA family.

Sit back and enjoy this insightful episode with Tom Rolland.

Links:

KL Modular Systems Australia

Build Hatch

In this episode of the Build Hatch Podcast, we get a lesson on marketing your business like a pro with Amanda from Sea Salt Marketing.

In this episode we talk about:

• Amanda grew up in the small coastal town of Point Lonsdale Victoria, and her experience of the fresh air and classic beach-side childhood growing up.
• During school, Amanda always aspired to work in business and wanted to study a Bachelor of Business Marketing at University.
• She started her marketing career in a traditional corporate organisation before stepping out on her own starting ‘Sea Salt Marketing’.
• As her business grew, she found a niche in marketing for builders, and more than half of her clients are in the building and construction industry.
• Not all of Amanda’s clients are personally active on Social Media, so she spends the extra time required to teach her clients about the world of Instagram and Facebook.
• Amanda says, social media opens up a whole new channel to meet people in a real and authentic way.
• The role of digital marketing and how it can be used to nurture existing word of mouth referrals. 
• Traditional marketing vs digital marketing, including cost per lead.
• Amanda’s process of ‘gearing-up’ Sea Salt Marketing to share the load of your marketing strategy.
• It all starts with you knowing about your ideal client and planning a strategy to meet them where they are online.
• Amanda’s tips for ensuring your marketing dollar is reaching a specific clientele.
• Amanda’s advice for which social media platform you need to be on. Look for the best option for your business and your target audience.
• The role of Google in a digital marketing plan.
• SEO and Google vs social media marketing.
• How to transform FAQs into Educational marketing using Blogs and Newsletters.
• The goals of Sea Salt Marketing when working together with builders to promote their business, no matter what their size.
• Amanda talks about the returns possible when marketing.
• Amanda’s favourite marketing success story.
• The importance of showing clients key measurables on their return and marketing spend.
• Amanda’s checklist for marketing your building business. 

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with Amanda from Sea Salt Marketing.

Links:

Sea Salt Marketing

Follow @seasaltmarketing on Instagram

Build Hatch

In this episode of the Build Hatch Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from brothers Tom and Will from Urban and Co.

In this episode we talk about:

• Tom and Will grew up in the country region of Albury Wodonga in a large family of 6.
• They grew up with a father who is a civil engineer and director of a well-known engineering firm which has come in handy as their business has progressed over the years and his knowledge passed onto the boys.
• As the eldest and more analytical child Will started his career as a high voltage electrician and Tom, as the more creative one stepped into the world of graphic design and town planning. 
• They have different strengths – Will in systems and processes which combines well with Tom’s creative design aspects.
• Urban and Co. primarily act as a single point of contact for clients through the entire design and construction process.
• Working across all areas of Sydney and recently beyond, Urban and Co. aim to hold the client’s hand from start to finish and ensure quality and satisfaction with the final build as it is a long and challenging process.
• Making the aspirational move from Albury to Sydney to broaden their business and have a change of lifestyle, without any contacts – these brothers have built up their business from scratch.
• Tom and Will put a lot of thought into the business model and growth strategy, which took 2 years of planning before they started Urban and Co. in 2017.
• During this time, they intentionally established connections and focused on word of mouth to build their business organically in Sydney.
• Will and Tom’s family is their greatest support, and being brothers gives them the advantage of open communication without barriers.
• Will’s experience with systems and data helps to keep the business sustainable rather than just focusing on the short-term.
• Goals when working with clients and how Will and Tom value the client experience and act as a one-stop-shop for all their building and construction needs.
• Innovation in the design and creative techniques are part of the more enjoyable aspects of working with clients to build their dream home.
• Urban and Co. also work with investors and property developers, as part of Will’s background is in feasibility and investment opportunities.
• The typical journey of a brief with Urban and Co. from the initial design and strategy session to the final walkthrough.
• The ‘help me help you form’ allowing them to design not only to their client’s needs but to their wants and desires.
• User experience is essential, and they employ life-like 3D concepts to help the client understand the final product before they even enter the worksite.
• It is an involved personal journey that Will and Tom pride themselves on successfully leading their clients through the process.
• Will and Tom are always looking for improvement and treat all their lessons learnt (including during COVID) as steppingstones to create a better, stronger and more efficient business model.
• The future for Urban and Co. as well as their reflections from their time in business thus far.

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with Tom and Will from Urban and Co.

Links:

Urban and Co.

Follow @urbanco_design on Instagram

Build Hatch

In this episode of the Build Hatch Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from Jason and Mark from Beyond Build Constructions.

In this episode we talk about:

• Both Jason and Mark grew up in Sydney’s South and met during their school years, and both always wanted to head into construction.
• The journey to Home Warranty Eligibility and the challenges associated with this.
• Jason started with the name Beyond Build Construction as his first entity and shares the evolution of the name over time.
• The transition phase of expanding Beyond Build and the systems they have in place to spread the load of the business and work more efficiently.
• The gradual increase in the type of projects they work on, which has allowed them to ‘iron out the creases’.
• Their business value of going beyond expectations, and what this means on a deeper level.
• Jason gives us his theory of dynamics on site and matching contractors with clients.
• Mark talks about business mentors and their weekly foreman feedback sessions.
• The value of a strong bond with a business partner.
• How Mark and Jason managed their staff during the pandemic as well as some of their most recent highlights.
• Life for Mark and Jason outside of construction.
• Indirect marketing strategies and the importance of marketing your business to ensure you have work in the future, even if you are currently booked with projects.
• Their tips for software, processes, and paper vs digital.
• The discipline of planning that Mark and Jason have instilled into their team.
• The culture within the Beyond Builds team as a young crew, all under the age of 30.
• Some of Jason’s pet hates when attending site and tips for keeping the boss happy! 
• The future for Beyond Build and their tips for young builders looking to step out on their own.
• Working on the tools vs managing the business and the balance of the two.

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with Jason and Mark from Beyond Build Constructions.

Links:

Beyond Build Constructions

Build Hatch

In this episode of the Build Hatch Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from Matt Menichelli from Elevate Building Group. 

In this episode we talk about:

• Growing up Matt was 1 of 3 kids and attended Marcellin College in Melbourne, VIC.
• Coming from a family of professionals, Matt started his studies in Visual Communication and Design, but felt there was a missing practical element to his future.
• Realising he wanted to start a carpentry apprenticeship, Matt opened the newspaper and applied for a job.
• Matt regularly has a three-year plan and strives to always be progressing.
• Halfway through his Cert 3 apprenticeship Matt also enrolled in a Cert 4 to obtain his Builder’s Licence.
• Matt emphasises that the choices you make now point you in the direction of your future plans.
• Completing his Cert 3 and Cert 4 at the same time, Matt was ready to step out on this own and started ‘Elevate Building Group’.
• The beginnings of ‘Elevate Building Group’ and the cold call that changed his business literally immediately.
• Working on Channel 9’s ‘The Block’ and ‘Reno Rumble’.
• We get an exclusive behind the scenes insight into the show and how it operates.
• Matt believes in taking every opportunity and subsequently doors will eventually open.
• The positive and both negative assumptions Matt receives from his time on Television and how he manages the interaction and expectations of the client.
• As a business owner, you need to inspire a crew that is willing to invest in your goals and values.
• The future for Elevate Building Group is focused on progression rather than a final end goal.
• Scaling the business and Matt’s learnings from this natural step.
• The mindset shift required to progress from carpenter to builder.
• Matt’s mentors and the importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded people.
• Outside of work, Matt loves his footy and the mateship it brings.
• Matt’s approach to client interaction and Social Media presence.

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with Matt Menichelli.

Links:

Elevate Building Group

Follow @elevate_building_group on Instagram

Find Elevate Building Group on Facebook.

Watch ‘The Block’

Watch ‘Reno Rumble’

Build Hatch

In this episode of the Build Hatch Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from Dale Cheesman from ‘The Melbourne Builder’. 

In this episode we talk about:

• Dale grew up in South-East Melbourne and we hear about Dale’s classic Australian childhood.
• Dale did not always have aspirations of becoming a builder and after graduating school, he kept active and interested in lots of sport. 
• Dales’ first boss, Jeff and the influence he had throughout Dale’s entire career.
• Saying, ‘Yes’ to opportunities and being pushed to become more of yourself.
• Completing a building apprenticeship taught Dale the life skills to start his own business.
• The beginnings of ‘The Melbourne Builder’ with his business partner and school friend Sean.
• Social Media and the importance of balance within a business partnership.
• In 2017, Sean tragically lost his fiancé leaving Sean to raise an 8-month-old son, this experience taught Dale and TMB family gratitude and was a reminder of the importance of strong relationships and friendships.
• The value and importance of tendering and what this process can teach you about your business.
• Going from carpentry joinery to building business.
• Dale gives us his perspective on tendering for building jobs.
• The home TMB built for Chris and Rebecca Judd and the biggest highlights from this project.
• Dale’s background in building for events and his approach to a quick fit out turnaround.
• The ‘Arbory’ bar project and the problem solving needed to build on water.
• The influence of Neil from TMB and the family working environment of The Melbourne Builder.
• Dale believes in flexible working arrangements for employees to create a healthy work-life-balance.
• The future for The Melbourne Builder.
• How Dale loves meeting new clients and their families involved in renovations.
• Dale’s learnings from the last 10 years of business.
• The value of honesty and transparency. 

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with Dale Cheesman. 

Links:

The Melbourne Builder 

@themelbournebuilder on Instagram

The Melbourne Builder on Facebook

Arbory Bar & Eatery 

Build Hatch 

Podcast Produced by Pretty Podcasts

In this episode of the Build Hatch Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from Sales and Marketing Manager for GIA Renovations, Illan Elberg. 

In this episode we talk about: 

• A typical day for Illan as the Sales and Marketing Manager for GIA Bathrooms & Kitchens. 
• Illan’s childhood was busy filled with renovations as his father is a builder.  
• Illan’s father always worked hard. Seeing this constant hard work, his parents encouraged him not to follow the same path.  
• Following his passion, Illan studied Construction Management at RMIT University. 
• The background of GIA Bathrooms & Kitchens, which Illan launched halfway through his University degree. 
• The traditional marketing strategy that Illan put in place at the beginning and how it grew. 
• Modernising GIA and the value of adding a designer to the GIA team.  
• The award room, and the recent home extension which won the HIA award. 
• We explore the showroom and the process in which clients go through during a renovation project.  
• Illan always jumps at the opportunity to learn, and regularly bounces his ideas off others.  
• Checking on work-sites is a great way to keep on top of the business.  
• GIA is a family and has a set of values that teams, and trades need to align with.  
• The complications that can come with renovations versus new builds.   
• Marketing and the importance of tracking leads.  
• The intentional step of creating a pleasant experience for the client while completing a renovation in their home.  
• Managing quoting and the client’s expectations.  
• Illan’s definition of success and how his priorities have shifted since starting a family. 
• The future for GIA Bathrooms & Kitchens. 

Sit back and enjoy this interview with Illan Elberg.  

Links: 

GIA Bathrooms & Kitchens 

Follow @gia_renovations on Instagram 

Connect with Illan Elberg on LinkedIn 

Build Hatch 

In this episode of the Build Hatch Podcast, we take a deep dive into the world of property development with Ben Doyle from Fiducia Property.  

• In this episode we talk about: 
• The beginnings of Fiducia Property in 2001 and Ben’s unique approach to display suites. 
• Ben seeks to be transparent and available to his clients and shares the importance of building trust. 
• The importance of not wasting materials when it comes to display suites.
• Ben grew up all over the country and from the young age of 8 would help his step-father renovate the family home, learning his work ethic and the importance of earning his keep.  
• At the age of 17 Ben’s passion for boxing led him to a career in security all while completing a plumbing apprenticeship. 
• Making the jump from protecting super stars to the world of property development and the key influencers in Ben’s career.  
• Ben’s unique approach to property development and renovation projects.  
• The general rules of property development and Ben’s tips for those starting out.  
• The value of research, statistics and having a strong mentor in business.  
• Ben’s key lessons from his first property developments. 
• The awards Fiducia Property has won. 
• Working with ‘Hoyne Place Visioning, Property Branding and Marketing’, to create a specific look and feel for projects. 
• The value of the team you work with and working long term with other contractors.  
• Ben passionately explains his most recent luxury project, ‘Harriette’ and his love for exposed brick.  
• Outside of work routinely gets up at 5:00am each morning to surf or box, and finds this time invaluable to keep him on his game and focused.  
• The importance of women in his personal and professional life including his lovely wife Marie and their children.
• The future for Fiducia Property. 

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with property developer, Ben Doyle.  

Links: 

Fiducia Property 

'HOYNE place visioning, property branding and marketing’ 

Check out the ‘Harriette’ project.  

Build Hatch 

In this episode  of the  Build Hatch Podcast, we had the opportunity to hear from  married dynamic duo  Jack and Claire Burke  from  Muse Built.   

In this episode we talk about:  

• The origins of Muse Built  owned and operated by Jack and Claire Burke. 
• Jack and Claire both grew up in the Hunter Valley NSW and met through Jack’s brother 10 years go. 
• Jack is a third-generation builder and still works  regularly  with  family. 
• Following school, Jack  took a gap year and  travelled. During this  time, he decided to step  out on his own  and  started  his building company.   
• Claire’s father  owns a Safety Consultancy  Firm in which  Claire has worked  since graduating from school.  
• Adopting  Claire’s  safety industry  experience and  office management to work with Jack at Muse Built. 
• Highlights from Jack’s  first project. 
• Jack’s favourite part of running a building company is working in a positive  team environment. 
• The marketing  strategies of  Muse Built. 
• The pros and cons of working  in the business as a  husband and wife team. 
• The future for Muse  Built and plans  for expansion. 
• Jack sees the  importance of camaraderie between  other builders  and sub-contractors.  
• Managing the  mixture of  fixed and variable  contracts  with clients.  
• Jack’s tips for working with other  trades and contractors. 
• Loving what you do  is a marker for success.  
• The Mayfield renovation project that Claire and Jack  took on two years ago. 
• Being able to adapt and pivot  is essential.  
• The thrill of seeing the owner happy with their  completed  project.  
• Jack and Claire’s advice to young carpenters looking to transform into a builder. 
• The difference in mindset when working on construction  vs  business. 
• Business is almost an obsession for Jack and Claire. 
• Grounding yourself and re-setting with time away from the business. 

Sit back and enjoy this helpful interview with  Jack and Claire Burke  from Muse Built.  

Links:  

Muse Built  

Follow @musebuilt on Instagram  

Build Hatch